Notes: I hope to finish the translation of this chapter tomorrow. But you can see the reasons why Jane was not given up for adoption...
PPP
Over the next few weeks, Fanny attempted to reconcile with her husband on several occasions and assured Mrs. Bennet many times that the child she was carrying belonged to Thomas. However, all her efforts were in vain. As much as she tried, Thomas remained immune to her charms and refused to be swayed by her words.
Despite the best efforts of Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Hill, rumours about the paternity of Fanny's unborn child began to spread like wildfire in Meryton. Many people looked at the Bennet family, especially Fanny, with marked curiosity during Sunday sermons. Fanny's belly became the subject of whispered discussions, and the situation became so uncomfortable that she eventually stopped attending church altogether.
Fanny's days were spent locked in her bedchamber, waiting for time to pass. She rarely saw her husband, who looked at her with contempt and avoided speaking to her. To make matters worse, Thomas had given orders that her sister could only visit Fanny twice a week, and even then, under the strict supervision of Mrs. Bennet.
At the insistence of her sister, Fanny's father spoke seriously with Thomas and Mrs. Bennet. He was deeply disappointed by Fanny's behaviour but chose not to get involved in the couple's problems after verifying that Fanny was not physically abused. He understood Thomas and Mrs. Bennet had reason to be angry with his daughter and him. After the incident at the assembly, he accused Thomas to take advantage of Fanny and demanded he behave like a gentleman and marry her. At the time, he did not know Fanny was not a maiden.
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On a cold and stormy morning in the second week of November, the wedding of Maria Gardiner and John Phillips took place at Meryton Church. Fanny attended the ceremony with her husband and mother-in-law. Amongst the twenty-eight guests were the Careys, including Elizabeth Carey.
It had been several months since Thomas had seen Elizabeth Carey, and as soon as he saw her, he was struck by her beauty. He realized that despite his best efforts to forget her, he was still in love with her.
After the religious ceremony, Mrs. Carey, who was Fanny's aunt and godmother, along with the rest of her family, greeted Fanny, Thomas and Mrs. Bennet. The conversation was brief and somewhat uncomfortable, as Thomas tried not to reveal his feelings for Elizabeth.
The newlyweds, followed by the guests, walked to Mr. Gardiner's house for the wedding breakfast. The previous day, Thomas had sent two trunks to his father-in-law's house, one with Fanny's clothes and personal items and the other with his mother's. So, after the wedding breakfast, the Phillips, Fanny and his mother could leave directly for London.
Around noon, a thunder was heard in the distance, and the guests quickly went home as a storm was approaching. Despite Mr. Gardiner's and Mrs. Bennet's suggestion to delay the wedding trip by a day or two because of the inclement weather, the Phillipses decided to depart for London that very afternoon.
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On that same afternoon, Thomas was having tea in his bookroom when Mrs. Hill handed him a note from Mr. Carey that a young man had delivered. As Thomas read the note, his face turned pale with worry.
Dear Mr. Bennet,
I regret to inform you that the carriage carrying your wife, your mother and the Phillipses overturned just one mile from my estate.
Mr. Phillips has a leg injury, your mother suffered a slight concussion, and Fanny and Maria have several bruises and are sore. We are waiting for Mr. Jones to arrive to examine them.
Robert Carey